Adria has been such an invaluable help in growing these little girls. She comes over many times each week to help Jessica when I’m at work. Feeding babies, changing babies, rocking babies (her favorite), cooking tasty dinners, tidying, playing with Arthur and Lewis, keeping Jessica company with some rare adult conversation, it goes on and on. Often when I come home Jessica tells me little delightful stories about how Bubbe reacts at various chaotic moments in the evening. She’s a natural and (as Jessica has said many times) she’s wonderful to have around. On behalf of all six us, thanks for helping us so much, Bubbe. We love you enormously!
Ben-Jess-Art-Lew-Bailey-Netta.

Bubbe holds Bailey.

[editors note, gackoo=pacifier]
Tonight Lewis decided he was going to play a game with his gackoo and me, throwing it down from the top bunk and I was supposed to get it.  Then he came down and sat with me on the rug and said, “We share mine gackoo!  I have a turn and then you have a turn.  (Sucks on gackoo then hands it to me.)  Here, Mama.  Put it in your mouth!”  Just like passing a joint.  

Jessica and I worked hard yesterday to get some smiling photos of our girls. They smile periodically and unpredictably and certainly not on demand. Here’s some photos from our first attempt.

Netta smiling.

BOTH babies smiling!

Today was Art's five-year-old appointment – – with SHOTS!  He was pretty newvous about the shots but he went to the appointment and didn't bolt or anything.  I told him that wa brave, because being brave means doing something even though you are scared.  

Not really. But starting today I’m now able to sell copies of my 2009 Ant Farm books for only $10 each (list price is $27.95). The friendly publisher Norton Stillman just unloaded a bunch on me for cheap. Anyway, Christmas presents anyone? I’m happy to sign and ship them to whomever (add $3 for shipping). Thanks for your attention,
Ben

ps–the book is a compilation of documentary photography and interviews done as part of a column at the Pioneer Press. Some of the photos are posted below and a few complete columns are posted here.

My brother josh came over to help finish off a couple tunnels in the snow bank in front of our house. Art came in this morning after crawling through one. “Papa, every time I go in the tunnel I get snow on my head.”

Just a little note about the girls, since they are emerging from their blob-phase.  They can smile!  We haven't figured out the trick to getting them to do it which is why we haven't gotten a picture, but we're working on it.  And I think Bailey will be cooing soon since she has started to make what seem to be accidental sounds now and then that are not crying or snorting so it would seem that she will start playing with that eventually.

It really is pretty extraordinary playing in this snow. everything is just so deep and big. The boys ‘helped’ me shovel today, which took a super long time. I made a couple tunnels in the snow bank which I hope to connect together tomorrow. Lewis is just light enough to walk on top most of the snow but every once in a while a leg breaks through and disappears. “Help me, Paha!”

Arthur crawling down out unshoveled front steps.